How to Keep Your Home Cool Without Overworking Your AC

June 05, 2025

When temperatures soar into the triple digits, your air conditioner becomes essential, but pushing it to the limit day after day can lead to high utility bills, system stress, and costly repairs. Fortunately, there are smart, simple strategies that help keep your home cool without running your AC around the clock.

Here’s how you can lighten the load on your air conditioner and still stay comfortable all summer long:

1. Use Ceiling Fans the Right Way

Ceiling fans don't lower the temperature of a room, but they help your body feel cooler by circulating air and creating a wind-chill effect. That means you can raise your thermostat a few degrees, reducing energy use, while still feeling comfortable.

Tip: Make sure your fans are set to spin counterclockwise in the summer, which pushes cool air down.

Consider installing fans in rooms that don’t have them. They’re inexpensive, energy-efficient, and make a big difference in comfort.

2. Block Out Heat with Curtains and Blinds

Direct sunlight streaming through your windows can significantly increase indoor temperatures, especially in the late afternoon. Thick, insulated curtains or light-blocking blinds help prevent that heat from entering your home in the first place.

Extra layer of defense: Add reflective window film or solar screens to further reduce heat gain, especially on south- and west-facing windows.

3. Seal Air Leaks and Improve Insulation

Even the best air conditioner can’t keep your home cool if cold air is slipping out through cracks or poorly insulated walls. Gaps around windows and doors, attic hatches, and even outlets can let hot outdoor air in — and let the cool air out.

Quick fixes:

• Use weather stripping around doors and windows.
   
• Seal attic openings and ductwork.
   
• Add insulation in attics or crawlspaces where it’s thin or missing.
   

4. Limit Heat-Producing Activities Indoors

Every time you use the oven, stove, dishwasher, or dryer, you're adding heat to your home that your AC then has to remove. Reducing heat from appliances keeps your home naturally cooler.

Try this instead:

• Cook outdoors on the grill or use an air fryer.
   
• Run the dishwasher at night.
   
• Air-dry clothes whenever possible.
   

5. Install a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats can make a significant difference in how efficiently your air conditioner runs. These devices learn your routines and automatically adjust temperatures to save energy — for example, raising the temperature when you’re at work and cooling things down before you return.

Control from anywhere: Many models can be managed remotely from your phone, providing real-time control over comfort and energy usage.

Mohr offers professional installation and can help you choose the best model for your home and budget.

6. Schedule Regular AC Maintenance

Your AC might be cooling, but is it working efficiently? Dirt buildup, clogged filters, worn-out parts, and low refrigerant levels can all cause your system to work harder than necessary, and can shorten its lifespan.

A tune-up from Mohr Air Conditioning includes:

• Air filter check and replacement
• Coil cleaning
• Blower and motor inspection
• Refrigerant level check
• Drain line clearing
   

Regular maintenance helps prevent breakdowns and keeps your system running smoothly when it matters most.

Stay Cool, Save Energy, and Protect Your AC with Mohr

You don’t have to sacrifice comfort to save money or protect your AC system. With a few smart strategies and help from Mohr, you can enjoy a cooler, more efficient home all summer long.

Call Mohr Air Conditioning today to schedule your AC maintenance or smart thermostat upgrade in Northeast Arkansas!